As we approach Father’s Day weekend, we are reminded of the great and important role of fatherhood in our society. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
In this passage God is challenging fathers to reflect the love and holiness of God to their families. In many ways the great difficulties in our country today are an evidence of fathers who have neglected this spiritual duty. Here are a few ways fathers can help their children reach their potential for the Lord Jesus Christ.
God-loving example
Give them a God-loving example. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. I thank God for fathers who truly love the Lord and express their love by praying, giving and serving the Lord Jesus Christ. I heard of a scenario where young boys were debating whose father was the best. The discussion hi-lighted to who their fathers knew. The first boy started the debate by claiming his father knew the mayor. He was soon topped by the second boy who said, “That’s nothing, my dad knows the governor.” The stakes were getting pretty high, and the eavesdropping father wondered what his young son would say about him. The little boy shot back, “So what. My dad knows God!” I wonder…would your son say the same thing? May our children always be able to say that their dads know God.
Word-filled teacher
Besides providing a God-loving example, fathers need to be a “Word-filled” teacher. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 commands us to instruct our children in the Word of God. Second Timothy 3:16–17 says, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Spirit-filled leader
Finally, each father must be a Spirit-filled leader. In order to be Spirit-filled, a father must first be born again by the Spirit (John 3:6–7). A father then must be yielded to the Spirit in order that he may be filled, according to Ephesians 5:18. Also in Romans 8:6–8 the Bible says, For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. May we be fathers walking in the Spirit before our families in the coming days.
Let me encourage you to take time to encourage a dad who is walking faithfully with the Lord this weekend!
